BULL-FIGHTING is illegal in this country. Many people think that
the sport is unjustifiably cruel. It is at least arguable that for these reasons bull-fights should not be shown on television. But if a television company does decide to show a film of a bull- fight, as ATV did last weekend, at least it ought to have the courage of its convictions. The film consisted mainly of a precious travelogue between a journalist and his wife : only a few minutes were given to the bull-fight itself, which was lamentably bowdlerised. There was a brief glimpse of a horse —an aged crock smothered in padding, with a picador in the saddle holding off the bull. The death of the bull—that moment which gives enthusiasts the thrill which for them justifies the whole bloody proceedings—was not shown at all. One moment the audience was watching the matador recovering from a goring, and the next they were into Messrs. So-and-So's com- mercial and the show was over.
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